COVID-19

Thailand imposes stricter measures to slow virus spread

Reuters

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Thailand imposes stricter measures to slow virus spread

SLOWING COVID-19 SPREAD. A health worker administers the COVID-19 swab test at the airport as Phuket reopens to overseas tourists, allowing foreigners fully vaccinated against the COVID-19 to visit the resort island without quarantine, in Phuket, Thailand, on July 1, 2021.

Jorge Silva/Reuters

Some measures will take effect from July 10, others from July 12, and come as Thailand reports one of its highest daily infection tallies at 9,276, with 72 new deaths

Thailand announced tighter restrictions in the capital Bangkok and nine provinces on Friday, July 9, in an effort to slow the spread of the coronavirus, including travel curbs, mall closures, a curfew and limits on the size of gatherings.

Some measures will take effect from Saturday, July 10, others from Monday, July 12, and come as Thailand reported one of its highest daily infection tallies at 9,276, with 72 new deaths, amid a battle against its longest-running and most severe outbreak so far.

“In the 10 provinces there will be restrictions on unnecessary travel and people cannot leave their home between 9 p.m. and 4 a.m. unless necessary,” Apisamai Srirangsan, spokeswoman for the government’s COVID-19 task force told a televised news briefing.

The announcement confirmed information provided earlier to Reuters by two government sources.

Malls, beauty clinics, spas and massage shops in Bangkok and five surrounding provinces must close from Monday, while COVID-19 testing facilities will be expanded to better detect and isolate clusters, Apisamai said.

Gatherings will be capped at five people, although there will be some exceptions. The government also discouraged inter-provincial travel.

Thailand on Friday took delivery of AstraZeneca vaccines donated by Japan.

Apisamai said the AstraZeneca vaccine and that of Pfizer and BioNTech would be used for elderly people and those with medical complications, plus foreign residents over 60, diplomats and athletes competing overseas.

She also said medical personal would be offered Pfizer-BioNTech mRNA booster shots.

Most Thai medical workers were administered the vaccine of China’s Sinovac, which some experts say may be less effective against more transmissible coronavirus variants. – Rappler.com

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